#ghost lesson

[ghosts-and-ghouls-a-plenty]

Ghost Lesson: Young and Lost Souls

Those flickers of life in the most barren places in the world, those are Souls.

Young Souls and Lost Souls, what's the difference? Well, listen closely and I'll tell you, but first, it's important to note that both Young and Lost Souls aren't typically visible to the human eye.

Young Souls are more commonly people who have died and become ghosts. They are new to the afterlife, and have yet to find or realize their purpose as a spirit. "But if they're ghosts, shouldn't they have a soul?" that is likely what you're wondering now. But you see, they are the soul. And as they grow and adapt, they are no longer considered a Young Soul anymore. But, there are rare cases of Young Souls being manifested into the world, that have no connection to someone's death. They seem to be created by magic or residual energy from areas that are frequently visited by other ghosts.

Lost Souls are Young Souls but older. They've never been able to figure out their purpose or reason for life, and as such, have drifted away from the company of others. You'll find them in the most remote parts of the world, being pushed along by the breeze. They're constantly in a state of misery and apathy, and as such, can't accept companionship.

Though many ghosts that discover Young Souls try to help them, there are some that take more predatory actions. That's right, some specters have been known to force Young Souls into labor, making them work in camps nonstop. Though eventually, they escape, they become jaded and distrustful.

There's much more to learn in this mansion, but that is all for today's lesson.

Hey, quick question, do y'all want me to put pictures for reference, or do you think it's better for me to just describe the monster/ghost?

[ghosts-and-ghouls-a-plenty]

Notable Ghosts: Ghoul

Ghoul is the not-so-evil evil overlord of their mansion. They may try to act tough and menacing, but they're really a cuddle bug! The world outside may be tough and cruel, but inside of the mansion, they want to ensure a safe place for all that choose to stay there. They have a playful personality, but deep down, they worry lots about their 'minions'.

Ghoul was once human, but died due to blunt force trauma, and was revived as a sheet ghost. Ghoul's pronouns are they/them, but they aren't picky about being called other things, including pet names. They're pretty small, being only around 1 ½ to 2 feet tall. Some of their favorite things are showing affection to others, sweet treats, looking at stars, and Aru's paws (but mostly all paws in general). They have two forms, Aerial, and Grounded.

The Aerial form has the ability to float, along with enhanced supernatural powers, especially those regarding offense. In this form they usually sport a somewhat bored expression, even though they may not actually feel that way. They mainly only switch to this form when they need mobility, or if they absolutely have to attack.

The Grounded form is far more interesting. This is the appearance they take more often. It's easier for them to grab things in this form, as they have little nubby hands now. They also wear shoes in this form but they only have three pairs, their "dino stompers", their "kitty paws", and tall platform shoes. They enjoy wearing their dino stompers most of the time, but their favorite pair is actually the kitty paws. There's a thin strip of lace around their body in this form, and this is because their killer tried to conceal them with doilies. It's easier and more convenient to travel around the mansion in this form, hence why they prefer to stay like this. They still have supernatural powers in this form, but it's mostly relegated to support magic.

The thing that both forms have in common is the ability to reveal an evil looking smile, by way of ripping it open. Ghoul still has several unique quirks, for example, brooding, purring, moaning/groaning/wailing, and odd self-soothing methods.

Some neat tidbits about them: They can change their body temperature, they can't phase through objects, their eyes are like endless voids, they put protective charms on their minions, and they can only eat sweets.

[ghosts-and-ghouls-a-plenty]

Ghost Lesson: Consciousness

Meet the Consciousness, also referred to as a New Thought. These spirits love telling stories, good or bad. Similar to the Will-o-wisps, these ghosts take a primarily neutral stance on things. They have the ability to influence a person's mind and give them an impression on what others are doing, essentially linking two people's minds together briefly. They also have the ability to mimic voices, though they only do that when they link minds together. Narrating is their passion, but they enjoy doing subtle narration the most. They don't like sticking out, and are rarely ever seen. Even while linking minds, they are undetectable, as though they lay on others heads, they are like aerogel, a substance lighter than air. If you disrespect its talents and skills, it'll mess with your emotions or show you false scenarios.

There is much more to learn in this mansion, but that is all for today's lesson.

[ghosts-and-ghouls-a-plenty]

Ghost Lesson: How to befriend ghosts P.2

In yesterday's lesson we went over some key info for befriending ghosts, but today, we'll actually delve into confronting spirits.

Though, you shouldn't actually confront a haunt unless you have speculations that they will harm you or others. In most cases, you should just wait for the ghost to feel comfortable enough to approach and reveal themselves. But this doesn't mean staking out and waiting to catch them in the act, no. To be friends, you must earn their trust. "But how do you do that? Aren't most ghosts filled with hatred or fearfully hiding away?" I hear you question. On the contrary! It can be quite simple to befriend specters. First, you must make yourself approachable. Be calm and relaxed, with no cares in the world. This can entail either resting, or leaving offers out to them. Keep in mind that they might join you in rest, or try to spook you. Whether it's just a snack or something that might've been near and dear to them, you can decide what the offering is. Though of course, different personalities might have different tastes. They might value entertainment more, or even just some quiet time.

It's important to try to communicate somewhat though, not just for your sake of understanding, but theirs too. You may believe that you're talking to yourself, but as long as the ghost is present, they're always listening closely to your words, even if you cannot see them. Keeping a friendly attitude and calm demeanor will assure you stay on their good side. But they're very observant, so it's easy for ghouls to tell when you're being dishonest. So what should you say to help convince them you're nice? Well, it's safe to start out with a simple greeting, with a bow. Something like: "Hello, I'm Y/N, and I mean no harm" or "Greetings, if you need anything, I am glad to help" are good openings. But don't be afraid if they respond, though it's quite rare for them to do so right away.

But, let's say that you've shown immense hospitality and the ghost finally reveals themselves to you. Do not attempt to interact with them, as this could frighten or annoy them back into hiding. Instead, you should give a polite wave, and assure them that you'll give them space. Then, if they're willing, go over some ground rules. If they agree, take note and be understanding of what they want. It's understandable if you feel excited or proud to have coaxed them out of their shell, but their needs and wants are just as valid as yours. Do not be afraid if the spirit observes you, as they're very curious beings. But, if they're getting too close, it's alright to tell them to give you some space, as long as you aren't rude about it.

There is much more to learn in this mansion, but that is all for today's lesson.

[ghosts-and-ghouls-a-plenty]

Ghost Lesson: How to befriend ghosts P.1

Ghosts can be very elusive beings, but befriending one is not typically that hard.

The biggest thing that will determine your success in making a new friend is the spirit's personality. Are they playful? Are they calm? Are they shy? No matter if they're grumpy or teasing, you must remember that patience is key. You wouldn't force a human to come out of their shell, so it's not fair to expect a ghoul to reveal themselves instantly.

Here are some key hints on telling what personality your haunter has.

If there's a lot of things that seem to messed with, for example, doors being opened or things moved around, and you sometimes catch glimpses of what the ghost looks like, it's likely you're dealing with a playful ghost. They enjoy teasing others and aren't too shy to reveal themselves.

And it's practically the complete opposite for shy spirits, as they don't purposely mess with your things. Though sometimes you might hear footsteps or feel a cold breeze, indicating that they might be nearby.

Calm and laid-back specters are usually spending time resting and as such, barely active. You might hear faint mumbles or yawns or even witness them snuggled up in blankets. While they do not reveal themselves often, on very rare occasions you can see them while resting. It's important to note that resting is different from sleeping. Most ghosts do not sleep and instead rest. While they may seem asleep, they're likely perfectly aware of what you say or do.

Grumpy spirits like to stay in one spot, so they rarely move. They may be a bit hostile though, so if they reveal themselves, don't try to interact with them, or else they may retaliate. Grumbling is a very common tell of their existence however, and they do it often. They're the least trusting of all mentioned personalities, so it'll especially take long to earn their respect.

But, now that you know some signs and tells of personalities, let's go over some basic knowledge to have for the befriending process. Rule number one, bow. That only applies to a place you're certain is haunted, but bowing is a way to give respect to ghosts. Rule number two, give them space. Ghosts and ghouls are much like cats, they need to approach you and not the other way around. Rule number three, and this is a given, don't mention or try to show them holy objects or figures. Rule number four, make your boundaries clear from the start, and allow them to do the same. It's understandable if you don't want them to follow you around everywhere, but make sure that you understand what they accept and don't accept too. Rule number five, don't offer them food or drinks that they can't eat. Ghosts don't start out with a sense of taste, they develop that with their palate, so offering them food they can't taste is kind of like offering a blind person glasses. And finally, rule seven, make sure you're direct and serious about decisions, because if you aren't, it may cause them to see you as a pushover, and thus, not take you earnestly.

There is much more to learn in this mansion, but that is all for today's lesson.

[ghosts-and-ghouls-a-plenty]

Ghost Lesson: Will-o-wisps

Have you ever been in a forest late at night, all alone, and seen flickers of light?

If so, you've just seen a Will-o-wisp!

Will-o-wisps are the definition of neutrality in the ghost world. Not kind, but not evil, these spirits are abundant in dark, spooky places. They pose no threat to those that approach, but the closer you get, the more they seem to fade away. A path for those brave enough to follow, these small spirits seem to draw people in with their vibrant colors and flickering flame-like bodies. Yes indeed, they come in multiple different colors, from red, to yellow, to green, and even white!

What is the purpose behind them leading others to places? Well, they are found most frequently in places with a lot of history, and it is speculated that they might be tied with the events that happened in those areas. Though, it's most commonly believed that they just desire for others to know the history of those areas, good or bad. Whether you see them as a symbol of justice, or a scourge on the earth, just know that you make the choice to follow them. Though their presence may be tempting, you are never forced to follow their path. They, like many others are still mysterious specters. They stay silent, no matter how much you question their existence, despite having the ability to communicate. Any reports of befriending them are very minimal, with others refusing to share any information. Could it be that Will-o-wisps harbor deep secrets of their own?

There is much more to learn in this mansion, but that is all for today's lesson.

[ghosts-and-ghouls-a-plenty]

Ghost Lesson: Ghost Anatomy

I have already shared some secrets about ghosts before, but now it is time for me to explain more about how they really function.

Spirits, ghosts, ghouls, spooks, specters, haunts or whatever you prefer to call them, the supernatural works in unnatural ways. In some ways, it depends on what kind of ghost you're trying to talk about, but let's start with some basic knowledge that applies to most spooks.

Spirits can have many different personalities, but you'll likely encounter shy, mischievous, and hostile ones the most. Why are those three the most common? Well it has to do with the environments and past experiences they've had. Remember though, just because a specter is hostile, doesn't mean they explicitly want to cause you harm. Either way, ghosts can be quite sensitive to both actions and words, so it doesn't typically take much to rile them up, or anger them. They're also rather observant, and can easily tell when something is off.

But enough about that! You're here to learn what they're made of, aren't you? Well, ghouls are rather simplistic in terms of anatomy, most just being composed of a soul and some ectoplasm. The soul, like a human's brain, is the main reason for its existence. The ectoplasm, is its form. But ectoplasm is clear, so how would you even be able to see a ghost? Well, haunts have the ability to make themselves physical and thus, seeable. And the reason why ghosts appear to be white is due to the fact that many clear substances under certain circumstances can become a white color. Plus, subconsciously, most people have no doubt been influenced by the media's depiction of Bedsheet ghosts. Not all ghosts need souls to exist though...

There is much more to learn in this mansion, but that is all for today's lesson.

[ghosts-and-ghouls-a-plenty]

Ghost/Monster Lesson: Plushies

Many people have the belief that their stuffed animals and friends are alive, and what if I told you that was true?

Plushies are very sweet and very interesting beings. They can be ghosts, but not all are. You see, it all depends on the circumstances for the Plushie. A lost or young soul could possess a stuffed animal and make it their new vessel. Or through pure rage or dejection of being thrown away, they could awaken and have full control over their body. But one thing remains certain, and that's the fact that no matter their cause for life, they will always start out in an infantile state.

But Plushies do not grow with age, much like a Poltergeist, Bedsheet or even Blanket ghosts, they can age, but their appearance will always stay the same. The Plushies start out only being able to inch around, and squeak, but most of the time they sleep. Eventually, they'll get a better hang on how their body works and start speaking, though they still use their squeaks to communicate from time to time. They mature much like humans do, learning how to react to situations from the others around them. Of course, most are rather friendly, but the ones who've been thrown away in the past can be rather hesitant to trust others. Plushies are very social, so you'll almost never see one alone. The only instances of Plushies being spotted alone are ones who live on the streets.

No matter how angry a Plushie is, they can never do substantial harm to you because of their soft and squishy bodies. But you should never just ignore how they feel, just because you know they can't really hurt you. Like any being, you should treat them with respect, and as long as you are kind to them, they will repay you with their companionship. Speaking of companions, most Plushies are very affectionate, and curious. But that curiosity can get them hurt, so sometimes you might see a grumpier plushie trying to protect them. This is especially common when they're young, as the grumpy Plushies might often let out angry squeaks, as a way to try to tell the more curious ones to be careful, or to advise them to stay away. These squeaks often wake other Plushies, and it's not easy for them to fall back asleep. If you try to approach the curious Plushies, the grumpier ones may try to get between you and them, as they might see you as a threat. You should just allow the Plushies to approach you, and don't make any sudden movements. All in all, Plushies are soft and sweet, even if they don't quite seem that way.

There is much more to learn in this mansion, but that is all for today's lesson.